YMCA Organic Garden Groundbreaking: Watch Us Grow!

Dream Big
Sometimes when you begin a project, your enthusiasm can take you to places you can only imagine. A gardener is, I believe, naturally optimistic. When you plant a seed, do you not expect it grow?

The garden center is to me like a shopping mall is to some women. I could spend hours wandering through the flowers, trees, young plants, dreaming of what I can plant right now (and what will fit in my car...yes that’s me driving home with a fruit tree sticking out of the sunroof). So many possibilities. But things are different here, and practically speaking, those stores just want to sell plants (to people like me who just can’t help themselves). Just because a plant is available doesn’t mean it’s the right time for planting. Some may not be right for Florida gardens at all; yet there they are, tempting us. Don’t fall for it (I tell myself), do your research before selecting plants and seeds.

It’s nearly fall, the best time (in my opinion) to start growing here in Florida. I’ve been reading seed catalogs far too long through this year’s very hot, wet summer. Cooler temperatures are coming (again, optimistic), and we can grow throughout the winter. While people in other states are huddled under a snow bank, we're huddled under the tomato plant harvesting fruit. Almost makes you forget about the 90% humidity.

Help Us Grow
Everyone who walks through the front door of the N. Pinellas YMCA has seen the site of the new organic garden, nothing more than some mulch and a couple of sprinklers. Now imagine what it can be: a beautiful edible garden, an herb garden, a learning center, a playground for toads and butterflies, a place to sit and relax. Enough dreaming, time to get to work.

Phase one has begun. Last week a few volunteers mapped out our vision in string and garden flags; soon the irrigation system will be installed thanks to the generous funding of the YMCA. It may storm nearly every day now, but the dry season will come eventually (right?).

As we worked, as we hoped, people took notice. Everyone walking to and from their daily workout had something to contribute...
“I am so glad you are doing this!” “What are you planting, flowers? Vegetables?” Yes, and more. “Are you going to grow collard greens and turnip greens?” We’re going to plant as much as we can.

Through the Pinellas County Extension program, we met with Janice Corbett, a Master Gardener, who has experience setting up school gardens. Her suggestions have been a tremendous help, and with her guidance we hope to avoid any serious mistakes in planning. We welcome anyone with or without experience, enthusiasm works just as well.

In order to minimize expenses, we’re asking for donations from friends and fellow gardeners who support our efforts. Others will be purchased with YMCA funds budgeted for this project. Scouting out a local recycling group through Yahoo called PhreecycleClearwater (unrelated to the better known freecycle.org), I found someone giving away some garden tools, just a couple of shovels, but it’s a start.

Groundbreaking Sept. 7
Starting at 7 a.m. (rise and shine! Coffee anyone? I’ll get there as soon as I can), organic soil will be delivered to the N. Pinellas Y on Village Center Drive, and garden beds will be installed (calling all volunteers, bring your shovel, gloves and wheelbarrow). Then we give the beds a chance to settle as we gather the remaining items on our wish list, it's becoming sort of a scavenger hunt. Who do we know who may have...herbs, butterfly plants, flowering shrubs? Each plant and seed is carefully selected based on their “growability” during our cooler months.

Sept. 21 is Planting Day (yes, 7 a.m., whose idea was that?). Help us plant some seeds. Volunteers invited, you do not need to be a Y member.

Among gardeners, we sometimes say that growing food is like growing money. Ultimately, we hope the garden will be self-sustaining, that is, we can raise enough money (or enough food) to “grow”: An education center, community awareness, sustainable agriculture, food for thought.